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Overview of Huppenthal's anonymous comments

Huppenthal addresses anonymous blog posts

State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal held a press conference on June 25, 2014, to address the anonymous comments he's acknowledged posting on local political blogs. He specifically addressed three of the comments.

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2010

Anonymous comment in 2010: "We all need to stomp out balkanization. No spanish (sic) radio stations, no spanish billboards, no spanish (sic) tv stations, no spanish (sic) newspapers. This is America, speak English."

His press-conference explanation: "The key to opportunity to Arizona, in America is the ability to read, write and speak English. That does not set aside that my blog comment was hurtful and I renounce that blog comment. I apologize for that way of expressing what was a deeply held belief."

2011

Anonymous comment in 2011 on the state's employer sanctions law. "We have a whole lot fewer Caucasians working now that the Hispanics have left. But, crime is much lower. No money and no one is stealing it."

His press-conference explanation: "There are a lot of people who perceive that when an immigrant comes in and takes a job that that eliminates a job for somebody that's here in Arizona. The point of that post is that's not the way that economics works."

2011

Anonymous comment in 2011: "Our successful small businessmen/job creators are being taxed to death. At most, they should give up 40 cents on the dollar to expanding government burden. But, Obama demands 63 cents. Meanwhile, Obama is rewarding the lazy pigs with Food Stamps (44 million people), air conditioning, free health care, flat screen TV's (typical of "poor" families)."

His press-conference explanation: "I think a lot about economics and how do we create opportunity. How do we enable people who are on welfare, how do we give them opportunities to move? What kind of policies allow them the opportunities that we've had? But those philosophies, those economics in no way shape or form excuses the way I expressed those sentiments. That's why I repudiate those blog comments. It's OK to talk about policy. It's not OK to talk about people."

State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal called a news conference on June 25, 2014, to address the anonymous comments he has acknowledged posting on local political blogs. At the conference, he apologized repeatedly for what he said and ended up leaving in tears while expressing his dismay over how hurtful the comments are. He specifically addressed three of the comments, which he made under the pseudonyms Falcon9 and Thucydides.

****Anonymous comment in 2010: "We all need to stomp out balkanization. No spanish (sic) radio stations, no spanish billboards, no spanish (sic) tv stations, no spanish (sic) newspapers. This is America, speak English."

His press-conference explanation: "The key to opportunity to Arizona, in America is the ability to read, write and speak English. That does not set aside that my blog comment was hurtful and I renounce that blog comment. I apologize for that way of expressing what was a deeply held belief."

****Anonymous comment in 2011 on the state's employer sanctions law: "We have a whole lot fewer Caucasians working now that the Hispanics have left. But, crime is much lower. No money and no one is stealing it."

His press-conference explanation: "There are a lot of people who perceive that when an immigrant comes in and takes a job that that eliminates a job for somebody that's here in Arizona. The point of that post is that's not the way that economics works."

****Anonymous comment in 2011: "Our successful small businessmen/job creators are being taxed to death. At most, they should give up 40 cents on the dollar to expanding government burden. But, Obama demands 63 cents. Meanwhile, Obama is rewarding the lazy pigs with Food Stamps (44 million people), air conditioning, free health care, flat screen TV's (typical of "poor" families)."

His press-conference explanation: "I think a lot about economics and how do we create opportunity. How do we enable people who are on welfare, how do we give them opportunities to move? What kind of policies allow them the opportunities that we've had? But those philosophies, those economics in no way, shape or form excuses the way I expressed those sentiments. That's why I repudiate those blog comments. It's OK to talk about policy. It's not OK to talk about people."